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Despite their unpredictable run of form, eighth place Reading are just one point adrift of fourth placed Ipswich as the race for the play-offs begins to hot up. But whilst the Royals have designs on a top six spot so too do a whole host of other teams.
The First Division seems to have developed a habit this season of throwing up topsy-turvy results every week.
Following Reading's win over Sheffield United today Coppell admitted that more than twelve teams will feel they can be playing Premiership football next season.
"I said when I arrived at Reading that any one of a dozen teams could win promotion but I now think it's more than that," said Coppell.
Indeed, thirteenth placed Preston North End are just six points adrift of the play-off places. Despite their lowly position Craig Brown still won't be ruling out a Millennium Stadium appearance in May.
But if the Royals want to make it into the top six they will have to put a good run together, and Coppell reckons his side will have to be on top form if they are to get points out of some of their tougher matches.
"Some of the top teams have still to visit the Madejski Stadium," he ventured. "That includes West Brom, Norwich, West Ham and Sunderland. They are big games."
However, if Reading are to get those required results and live the play-off dream they will need all their best players available for the final rounds of matches. So Coppell was disappointed to see influential full-back Graeme Murty limp off the field in the final few minutes this afternoon with what looked like a serious knee injury.
Whilst physio Jon Fearn reckons that the damage done is not as bad as it could have been, Steve Coppell will no doubt fear that he could lose one of his most consistent performers for the remainder of the campaign.
However, the Reading manager reckons that utility-man Ricky Newman could finally find himself a home at right-back should Murty face a lengthy injury lay-off.
"Ricky Newman has played full-back before and done a terrific job. If Murts is out it could be that Ricky finds himself in there for us."
Another player key to Reading's play-off charge is forward Shaun Goater. The Bermudan bagged his twelfth goal of the campaign this afternoon with a cooly-taken penalty. Following his latest strike, fans around the stadium chanted "Feed the Goat" as the veteran frontman made way for Dave Kitson late in the game, confirming his status as a crowd favourite.
However, Goater's goal this afternoon would never have been had it not been for Steve Coppell. The Reading manager prevented his number nine from lining up for Bermuda this afternoon on the other side of the world. Despite Goater's obvious disappointment the player must realise his manager made the right decision to keep him home.
"It was not an official international week and sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. I was certainly glad to see him out there although I did feel bad about the decision," concluded Coppell.